Denver preservationists are set to decide Tuesday if a penthouse can be built atop the historic five-story Neusteter Building in downtown Denver.
The Landmark Preservation Commission will consider Bryant Flink Architecture & Design's application for the 860-square-foot condo, featuring office, dining and patio space. A call to the Littleton-based firm wasn't immediately returned Thursday.
The listed owner of the project at 720 16th St., Paul Swaney, also didn't immediately return a call from Denverite.
The Neusteter Building is named after the Neusteter's women's department store it once housed.
Max Neusteter moved from St. Louis to Colorado in the early part of the 20th Century "to regain his vigor." In 1911, Neusteter purchased the closing clothing store at the south corner of Stout and 16th streets. Then in 1924, he expanded the space and reopened it to the public, according to the Denver Public Library.
By the 1970s there were at least six Denver-area Neusteter's stores, according to the Rocky Mountain News. The last of the Neusteter's stores, in Cherry Creek, closed its doors in 1986, according to the library. The next year the original location on 16th Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In the early 90s, 720 16th St. was renovated to include 86 lofts, according to Denver-based Usaj Realty.
About a block and half northeast of the proposed penthouse, developers are looking to stack six stories on a more than 100-year-old building along the 16th Street Mall and possibly create a hotel on two of the floors where a popcorn store and pot shop currently sit. The proposal received initial approval from the Landmark Preservation Commission in May.
Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
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